Phosphated locust bean gums

Abstract

Phosphated locust bean gum is cold water soluble and does not require heat or high shear to form viscous solutions in water. Blends of phosphated locust bean gum and xanthan gums are also cold water soluble and such blends will form highly viscous gels in water without the application of heat or high shear agitation. Such gels are useful as suspending media for a variety of materials, e.g., seeds used in fluid drilling planting operations.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A phosphated locust bean gum having a degree of substitution of about 0.03 to about 0.5. 
     
     
       2. The composition of claim 1 having a degree of substitution of about 0.07 to about 0.1. 
     
     
       3. A blend comprising about 90 to about 50 percent by weight phosphated locust bean gum having a degree of substitution of about 0.03 to about 0.5 and 10 to 50 percent by weight xanthan gum. 
     
     
       4. The composition of claim 3 wherein the phosphated locust bean gum has a degree of substitution of about 0.07 to about 0.1. 
     
     
       5. The composition of claim 3 wherein the phosphated locust bean gum is present in the amount of about 80 to about 70 percent by weight and the xanthan gum is present in the amount of about 20 to about 30 percent by weight. 
     
     
       6. The composition of claim 5 wherein the phosphated locust bean gum has a degree of substitution of about 0.07 to about 0.1. 
     
     
       7. A process for preparing a gel which comprises adding to water in the amount of about 0.1 to about 2 weight percent based on the weight of the gel a blend of 90 to 50 percent by weight phosphated locust bean gum having a degree of substitution of about 0.03 to about 0.5 and 10 to 50 percent by weight xanthan gum. 
     
     
       8. The process of claim 7 wherein the phosphated locust bean gum has a degree of substitution of about 0.07 to about 0.1. 
     
     
       9. The process of claim 7 wherein the phosphated locust bean gum is present in the amount of about 80 to about 70 percent by weight and the xanthan gum is present in the amount of about 20 to about 30 percent by weight. 
     
     
       10. The process of claim 9 wherein the phosphated locust bean gum has a degree of substitution of about 0.07 to about 0.1.